Appendix D
Physically Formatting a Hard Disk
This appendix describes how to physically format a hard disk. This
operation, sometimes called low-level or hard formatting, should not
be confused with the logical formatting process performed by the
MS-DOS FORMAT command. The physical formatting of a hard
disk is a separate step that is usually performed by the disk
manufacturer. If your Equity 386 came equipped with a hard disk,
that disk has already been physically formatted. The procedures
described in Chapter 3 are all you need to do to prepare your hard
disk for use.
You may need to follow the instructions in this appendix if you
purchase an additional hard disk for your computer, and that
additional disk has not already been physically formatted. You may
also need to repeat the physical formatting process if you experience
serious problems with a hard disk.
However, before reformatting a disk that appears to be damaged, use
the Non-destructive surface analysis test to determine if formatting is
necessary. If errors occur during this test, back up your disk. Then
run the Conditional format option, followed by the Destructive
surface analysis. These tests are described in this appendix.
The physical formatting process destroys all data on the disk. It also
removes the partitioning information supplied by the MS-DOS
FDISK command and the logical formatting information supplied by
the MS-DOS FORMAT or SELECT command. Therefore, after
physically reformatting a hard disk, you need to repeat the procedures
described in Chapter 3 to prepare your hard disk for use.
Physically Formatting a
Hard
Disk
D-l
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